Vocabulary
SCOTUS
Judicial Branch
Landmark cases and amendments
Random
100
the authority to hear a case for the first time
original jurisdiction
100
When was SCOTUS created?
1789
100
Name the three branches of government. Accurate pronunciation is required.
Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary
100
What does the first amendment guarantee? (more than 1 element required)
Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition
100
What ban did SCOTUS recently lift in LA?
lifted the ban stopping ICE agents from making arrests without 'reasonable suspicion'. This lift will allow ICE agents to stop suspects based solely on their race, language or job.
200
the authority to hear a case after a lower court has already made a decision
appelate jurisdiction
200
How many justices are there?
9
200
Who confirms the justices after Presidential nomination?
Senate
200
What does the 4th amendment guarantee?
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures
200
What power does Congress have on SCOTUS, other than confirming justices?
Hint: The House of Representatives also has this power over POTUS, with 3 Presidents having faced this.
power of impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction and removal by the Senate for "treason or other crimes"
300
the main power of SCOTUS is called...
judicial review
300
When did it switch to the current number of justices?
after the Civil War (1869 to be exact)
300
Which article of the Constitution created the judiciary branch?
III
300
What does the 14th amendment guarantee?
Citizenship Rights, Equal Protection: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
300
In July 2024, what did SCOTUS rule in Trump v. United States?
former presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their presidency.
400
The process by which the Supreme Court issues a decision without oral arguments or a formal signed opinion with legal reasoning is called... (2 words)
shadow docket
400
Who is the current Chief Justice?
John Roberts
400
If someone is found guilty in the US District Court, which is the next level court they can go to in order to review their case again?
The US Court of Appeals!
400
What 1803 landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws they find unconstitutional?
Marbury v Madison
400
Who is the most famous Supreme Court Justice of this era? Hint: she is nicknamed the "Notorious..."
500
the opinion issued by the justices who disagree with the majority opinion is called...
dissenting opinion
500
Double jeopardy! How many justices are women? How many were appointed by a conservative president?
4 -1
500
What is the minimum number of justices who need to agree to review a case?
4, which is why it is called "The Rule of Four".
500
What 1973 landmark case of the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution of the United States protected the right to have an abortion prior to the point of fetal viability (24 weeks)? What year was this decision overturned?
Roe v Wade
overturned in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
500
What are the requirements to become a Supreme Court Justice? (age, nationality, professional background...)
no minimum age requirement
no citizenship rule
no prior experience in the field of law